Yosemite Forum

Travelling to and visiting Yosemite National Park in Winter and most of Spring, when snow is on the ground. Includes visiting in winter, snow play, downhill and nordic skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing, and snow camping.

You can snowshoe from Badger Pass. Probably the best option. Rent from the XC Ski center (I think--check this in advance) or reserve a spot on the mid-day ranger snowshoe walk.

I hiked up to Little Yosemite Valley in winter before. That's using the (safer) John Muir Trail (high route) in low snow years. Some years, it's blocked by snow.

An adventurous option is to hike up Snow Creek Trail and down the Yosemite Falls Trail. It's an all day trip if you're in shape (overnight if you're not in shape--turn back if you're going too slow).

I just like walking the east-east trail that heads along the south side of Yosemite Valley. Start by the Chapel or Camp Curry and head to Bridalveil.

From Inspiration Point (aka Tunnel View), hike up the Old Inspiration Point trail to Old Inspiration Point. Very forested, under used trail. If the snow level is low, you could hike all the way to Dewey Point and back. I did it one winter. If the snow level is high, you'll have problems finding the trail on the rim.

Hike the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. Start at the trailhead near where the Tioga Road is closed (at Crane Flat). It's an old road, now closed, and walkable. It' skiable sometimes if the snow is fresh.

jenny123 wrote:I have never been there in the winter, but I can imagine that it is quite terrible when it is so cold. I am very sensitive concerning coldness, my place always has to be warm.

On the contrary, winter in Yosemite is anything but terrible. It is a magical experience to wake up to a fresh snow fall in the valley. Snow clings to all the cliffs and trees. The meadows are painted white and when the sun rises, icicles sparkle. If you have never been in Winter, you are missing out.